History

The MacKenzie Family owned the Hardscrabble Ranch at what is now known as McKenzie Junction. Courtesy Photo

The MacKenzie Family owned the Hardscrabble Ranch at what is now known as McKenzie Junction. Courtesy Photo

The MacKenzie Family - Part 1 of 2

The Angus D. MacKenzie Family This family owned and operated the Hardscrabble Ranch at the intersection of what is now Colorado Highway 165 and 96. The corner is now called McKenzie Junction. Angus D.
Clara Mabel Stoner married Wilson L. Savage on December 30, 1928 in Iowa. Wilson died in 1975 and Clara in 1989 and they are both buried in Pueblo Courtesy Photo

Clara Mabel Stoner married Wilson L. Savage on December 30, 1928 in Iowa. Wilson died in 1975 and Clara in 1989 and they are both buried in Pueblo Courtesy Photo

The Savage Family - Part 3 of 3

The Children of George Washington and Tillie Austin Savage Wilson Lee Savage The only son of George Washington and Tillie Austin Savage, Wilson was born and raised on the Savage Ranch. He was 16-years-old when his father died. He went to work as a traveling salesman while he also attended school.
Mary Ann Savage married Nels Barnard Christenson in December 1919. Their daughter Myra, was born and died in 1920. Courtesy Photo

Mary Ann Savage married Nels Barnard Christenson in December 1919. Their daughter Myra, was born and died in 1920. Courtesy Photo

The Savage Family - Part 2 of 3

Elmer Ellsworth Savage The only child of George Washington and Rebecca Smith Savage Elmer Ellsworth Savage traveled with his parents to Colorado and worked with his father on their homestead. He married Alice Weeden on November 23, 1893 in Pueblo. The couple had one child, Bessie born in 1894.
Adelia Matilda “Tillie” Austin grew up in the community of Greenhorn. She married George Washington Savage in 1893. Courtesy Photo

Adelia Matilda “Tillie” Austin grew up in the community of Greenhorn. She married George Washington Savage in 1893. Courtesy Photo

The Savage Family - Part 1 of 3

The Savage family homestead land near what is now San Isabel; and was one of the area’s earliest settlers. George Washington Savage George was born in 1839 in Shelby County, Ohio the oldest son of John J. and Mary Ann Savage.
John Edward Ptolemy, who married Cora Alice Graybeal, and his brother, Alex are considered some of the earliest settlers in the Mancos Valley arriving in 1877. Courtesy Photo

John Edward Ptolemy, who married Cora Alice Graybeal, and his brother, Alex are considered some of the earliest settlers in the Mancos Valley arriving in 1877. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 6 of 6

John Thomas and Rebecca Jane Perkins Graybeal’s Children George Roby Graybeal George Roby was born in Kansas and traveled with his family to Rye as a young boy. He grew up on his father’s homestead and married Eula May Shown.
Wiley Wayne Graybeal was killed when he was thrown from his wagon and it ran over him. Courtesy Photo

Wiley Wayne Graybeal was killed when he was thrown from his wagon and it ran over him. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 5 of 6

John Thomas and Rebecca Jane Perkins Graybeal’s Children Joysa Carolina Graybeal Born in North Carolina, Joysa traveled to Kansas and on to Colorado with her parents. She married Daniel Lawrence Sheets in 1875 in Rye.
Granville L. Graybeal started his grain and coal business in Pueblo in 1920 and ran it there until he retired in 1938. Courtesy Photo

Granville L. Graybeal started his grain and coal business in Pueblo in 1920 and ran it there until he retired in 1938. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 4 of 6

John Thomas and Rebecca Jane Perkins Graybeal’s Children Granville Lawson Graybeal When the railroad cut into the freighting to Leadville, Granville operated from Canon City to the Wet Mountain Valley where Silver Cliff was booming.
Granville Lawson Graybeal drove his family’s cattle from Missouri to Colorado in 1873. He worked as a cowboy most of his early life and continued in the cattle business for many years. Courtesy Photo

Granville Lawson Graybeal drove his family’s cattle from Missouri to Colorado in 1873. He worked as a cowboy most of his early life and continued in the cattle business for many years. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 3 of 6

John Thomas and Rebecca Jane Perkins Graybeal’s Children Granville Lawson Graybeal Granville Lawson Graybeal worked as a cowboy most of his early life. After driving his family’s cattle from Missouri to Colorado in 1873 he continued in the cattle business off and on for many years.
The four young men driving the Graybeal/Fisher herd to Colorado were frightened when they spotted a buffalo stampede in western Kansas, but the buffalo swerved before reaching them. Courtesy Photo

The four young men driving the Graybeal/Fisher herd to Colorado were frightened when they spotted a buffalo stampede in western Kansas, but the buffalo swerved before reaching them. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 2 of 6

John Thomas Graybeal Granville Graybeal; his cousin, Sim Graybeal (possibly Cicero E.); a younger brother of Rush Fisher and a fourth unidentified young man drove the Graybeal/Fisher herd to Colorado.
I Paola Miami Kansas. Wagon trains were often compiled of wagons driven by the women and carrying the children, with the men riding on horseback to scout ahead. Courtesy Photo

I Paola Miami Kansas. Wagon trains were often compiled of wagons driven by the women and carrying the children, with the men riding on horseback to scout ahead. Courtesy Photo

The Graybeal Family - Part 1 of 6

The Graybeals were one of many southern families to escape the dismal conditions of their homes after the Civil War and come to Colorado. Their story, like so many others, is filled with hope, tragedy and hard work.